Jay-Z was licensed by the NBA and MLB this week and can now function as an agent in both leagues on behalf of Roc Nation Sports, ESPN reports. The mogul still needs to obtain certification from the NFLPA, which is actively investigating him for allegedly violating the "runner rule."
A spokesman for Roc Nations Sports confirmed this week that Jay-Z is now licensed to work as an NBA agent after being certified by the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). A spokesman for the MLB Players Association confirmed on Thursday that Jay-Z is now also a licensed agent for the MLB.
It's uncertain how soon Jay-Z can begin representing players. As of Wednesday, the mogul still has an ownership share of the Brooklyn Nets, according to an ESPN source close to the situation. Jay-Z can likely still sign NBA players if he agrees to sell his share in the Brooklyn franchise soon.
Oklahoma City Thunders All-Star Kevin Durant is expected be Jay-Z's first NBA client. Durant would join a deepening stable of athletes, including New York Yankees slugger Robinson Cano, New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith and WNBA Tulsa Shock's Skylar Diggins.
Roc Nation partnered with Creative Artists Agency to handle Cano's contract negotiations, and the agency might do something similar with New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz.
Roc Nation Sports and Cruz are believed to be close to finishing a deal. Cruz and Jay-Z, along with Cano and Smith, were spotted on Monday at a Manhattan party to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Jay-Z's 40/40 sports bar.
The deal with Cruz, who signed a one-year tender offer of $2.879 million last week, could be waiting for the NFLPA to conclude its investigation of Jay-Z. Officials from the association met on Wednesday with Kim Miale, Roc Nation's NFL agent, to determine if Jay-Z violated the "runner rule" during the agency's recruitment of Smith.
The NFLPA began looking into a possible violation of the rule, which prohibits an NFLPA-uncertified agent from being involved with recruiting players, after a photo of Jay-Z and Smith together surfaced online.
The result of Wednesday's meeting is unknown.
